Intro: Jacob was a twin, his brother came forth from the womb first, but
Jacob was close behind his hand holding his brother's heel. Hence
his name.
I. UNLIKELY CANDIDATE FOR TITLE "POWER WITH GOD"
A. He had taken advantage of his brother.
1. When Esau came in from the hunt weak and famished
seeking Jacob's pottage.
a. Jacob took advantage of him and demanded he
exchanged his birthright for the pottage.
2. He later disguised himself as his brother to receive
the family blessing from his aged blind father.
3. He ended up fleeing for his life from his brother who
was vowing to kill him.
B. He almost met his match with his uncle Laben.
1. He labored seven years as a dowry to marry Rachel,
Laben's daughter.
a. Laben kept the wedding feast going till after
dark and in the darkness switched daughters.
b. He then required another seven years labor for
the dowry for Rachel.
c. Laben had taken advantage of Jacob's great love
for Rachel.
2. His uncle then contracted with Jacob to continue to
watch his flocks giving him the speckled and spotted
of the flock for his wages.
a. Jacob had learned some things about husbandry
in the fourteen years so that his flock was
gradually becoming stronger and larger than
Laben's.
b. Laben tried 10 times to change the situation
but Jacob always came out ahead.
c. Till Jacob finally had to flee for his life
from his uncle.
C. Jacob sought to gain the advantage in every situation, willing
to deceive if necessary to gain.
1. He even sought to drive a bargain with God.
a. When fleeing from his brother, he came to
Bethel.
b. The Lord appeared to him in a dream, and
promised to give him the ground he was lying
on.
c. "If you will be with me and give me food and
clothes, and bring me home in peace, then you
will be my God and I will give you 10%."
2. This is not how or where he had power with God.
II. HOW DID HE HAVE POWER WITH GOD?
A. Jacob is returning home with family and flocks. So large had to
be divided into two bands.
1. When he arrived near the Jordan river he received word
that Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men.
2. Jacob had no place to turn.
a. His uncle and cousins are angry with him.
b. Esau had vowed to kill him.
c. No where to flee.
d. So he prayed.
3. True to form after his prayer he began to scheme.
4. The night before his brothers arrival he set his family
across the brook of Jabob he returned back across the
brook to spend the night alone.
a. A man wrestled with him all night.
b. As the day began to break, Jacob was still
going strong so the man touched his thigh and
crippled him.
c. At this point Jacob began to hang on.
1. He then said to Jacob, "Let me go."
2. Jacob cried not until you bless me.
5. What was the blessing?
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Chuck Smith (1927 - 2013)
Pastor Chuck was used in the Jesus People revival where he was used along with others to minister to the hippy young people. They saw a work of the Spirit where many were added to the church and discipled. He has raised up many pastors who are a part of the Calvary Chapel movement now and where he pastors the large Costa Mesa church in California.The Calvary Chapel movement is based of simple principles that Chuck Smith taught over the years such as: The priority of agape love, Simple fellowship amongst the saints, the breaking of bread, the teaching of God's word chapter by chapter and verse by verse. And lastly and most importantly the principle not by might nor by power but by my spirit saith the Lord.